Mickey Guyton Makes ACM History And Country Music Community Celebrates Her
This was a moment we won't soon forget.
Wednesday night’s 55th Academy of Country Music Awards were unconventional in that they took place in September instead of April, they were filmed in Nashville instead of Las Vegas and there was no live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through all the changes, though, there were still many powerful performances and history-making moments. One historical moment happened when the prestigious award of Entertainer of the Year ended in a tie for the very first time, and another history-making moment came in the form of Mickey Guyton, who was the first Black woman to perform her own music on the show.
The singer took to the Grand Ole Opry House stage to perform her emotional song, “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” Dressed in a long white gown and sporting a beautiful pregnancy glow, Guyton belted out the song’s lyrics about the disappointments young women face in the world as Keith Urban accompanied her on piano. Guyton took to social media after her performance to post a video thanking her fans and crew.
View this post on InstagramWhat a night! I love you all so much. 💜💜💜 #ACMAwards
A post shared by Mickey Guyton (@mickeyguyton) on
“I’m overwhelmed, I’m hormonal, I’m so blessed and so excited and so thankful for the army and village of people that, first of all, put me together, and the country music community for embracing me and giving me this opportunity,” she says. “I love you guys so much.Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Guyton’s historical moment was applauded by many fans and her fellow artists on social media, with many using the hashtag, #MickeyMakesHistory. The performance caught the attention of country queen Shania Twain, who tweeted, “Beautiful song. Beautiful performance. Beautiful person. Congratulations @MickeyGuyton.” Kelsea Ballerini also congratulated Guyton on the performance. “Wow. @MickeyGuyton that is a performance that will make people listen, think, and change. Me included. You are a force,” she wrote.
ACM New Female Artist winner Tenille Townes was also blown away by Guyton’s song, tweeting, “That was incredible @MickeyGuyton. #MickeyMakesHistory.” Other artists, including Cam and Jennifer Nettles sent their love to Guyton on Twitter as well.
“It’s really rare that you are aware of history happening as you watch a moment unfold,” wrote Cam. “It’s even more rare to be friends with the woman who is responsible for that moment.”
“Brava Mickey! It makes me so happy to see you shine, and share your talent and love for country music, with the world,” wrote Nettles.
